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Sammamish, WA
Director of Golf
ABOUT SAHALEE COUNTRY CLUB
ABOUT SAHALEE COUNTRY CLUB
Sammamish, WA | The quintessential Northwest heritage of Sahalee Country Club lies in its founders, who shared the common dream of constructing their own 27-hole championship golf course capable of hosting major championships. That dream would never have been realized without the contribution of nationally recognized golf course architects Ted Robinson and Rees Jones (1996 Remodel), and its members, many of whom assisted in the completion of the course.
These members, led by Paul Runyan, a nationally renowned teaching professional and two-time PGA Champion, officially opened the club on August 9, 1969. The name Sahalee—or "High Heavenly Ground" in the language of the native Chinook—was chosen to reflect its Northwest future, heritage, and tradition. Sahalee Country Club was immediately recognized as an outstanding golf course and continues to enjoy nationwide recognition for its weaving trail through the Douglas Firs and Western Red Cedars, risk/reward design, and protective greens.
Known primarily for its world-class championship golf experience created by nationally recognized golf course architect Ted Robinson and renovated by world famous golf course architect Rees Jones, Sahalee was created to host any of the USGA, LPGA, and PGA Championships. In addition to our worldwide reputation for championship-caliber golf, we offer a distinctly Northwest family lifestyle, homespun hospitality delivered by our tenured, dedicated staff, and our absolute commitment to environmental stewardship. Although known for our world-class golf course, our greatest attribute is our welcoming membership and hospitality-driven staff.
For more information about the Club, visit the Sahalee Country Club website.
POSITION OVERVIEW
POSITION OVERVIEW
Job Title: Director of Golf
Reports To: The PGA Director of Golf reports directly to the General Manager and leads a golf hospitality team of 20 direct reports including the Head Golf Professional, Assistant Golf Professionals, Director of Instruction, Merchandiser, Starters, Marshals, Outside Services staff, and the Locker Room Attendant. Peers include the Director of Agronomy, Director of Food & Beverage, Director of Membership, Director of Facilities, and Controller.
POSITION OVERVIEW
POSITION OVERVIEW
The position of PGA Director of Golf is one of the most high-profile and important positions at Sahalee and touches all parts of our golf operation. The role goes beyond operations and enters the realms of culture, hospitality, strategy, stewardship, and genuine leadership. The club has a history of outstanding Golf Professionals and are excited to add to the impressive list of leaders who will continue our long-standing commitment to a world-class golf operation. How much does the lead golf professional mean to Sahalee? Three esteemed peers who have lead this golf operation have rooms in the recently renovated clubhouse named after them.
In addition to exemplary golf operations skills, success in this role starts with an outgoing personality and strong leadership skills, flexibility, excellent written and verbal communication skills, a commitment to delivering an outstanding member and guest experience daily, a focus on continuous improvement, an a strong attention to detail. These attributes are stated in our “Service Standards” and “Leadership Standards” documents (added as addendums in the links below this paragraph), the pledge to which your service on Team Sahalee is predicated. Please consider these standards carefully as your success will be measured in terms of our standards.
TEAM SAHALEE SERVICE STANDARDS
TEAM SAHALEE LEADERSHIP STANDARDS
POSITION SUCCESS TRAITS
POSITION SUCCESS TRAITS
This is a unique opportunity to lead golf operations at the Pacific Northwest’s premier golf venue. Sahalee Country Club has a proud 50-year tradition of hosting national championships including the PGA Championship, the WGC NEC Invitational, the US Senior Open, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and the Sahalee Players Championship. Sahalee is all about golf, pure and simple, and boasts the lowest aggregate handicap index average in the Pacific Northwest. Our members eat, drink, and breathe golf, and our next Director of Golf will carry on the tradition of our previous Professionals in not just being a highly recognized, respected, and industry-leading Professional, but also a passionate enthusiast of the game.
The successful candidate will be a seasoned Class A PGA Golf Professional with a minimum of five years of experience as the lead professional at their facility. This individual will be:
A proven, visible leader capable of attracting, training, and developing a world class team
Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
Experience in creating a best in class member and guest experience
A track record of success in program development, golf operations, and tournament management
Strong financial and business acumen relative to department budgeting, staffing levels and merchandising
Is genuinely passionate about golf, and is comfortable in a high-end, world-class private club ecosystem.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Our new PGA Director of Golf will be responsible for being first and foremost a cultural leader who can create the best possible golf experience. Culturally our new PGA Director of Golf will be:
A mindful, authentic professional who delivers a premier member and guest golf experience to the Sahalee membership and can continually and consistently evaluate, improve, and direct others to achieve that vision in a positive, energized, and intuitive manner.
A natural service-minded leader who is creative, current, innovative, and devoted to continuous improvement to enhance and personalize service delivery to members and their guests.
An out-front, lead-by-example, and hands-on service team leader capable of setting clear accountabilities, coaching to drive desired outcomes, and providing thoughtful and regular feedback to staff members. They will recognize their responsibility in developing and mentoring their team, creating and leading a supportive culture around golf operations, and providing development opportunities to golf staff to help them achieve their PGA certification and career goals.
A teamwork expert capable of sharing the warm hospitality embraced in daily collaboration with fellow department heads.
A naturally energized and outgoing personality that features integrity, pragmatism, progressiveness, and levelheadedness with a presence that conveys leadership, trust, and confidence.
Engaging all member constituencies to drive participation, excitement, and involvement in the game and the entirety of the Sahalee experience.
Comfortable working in a highly collaborative manner with the Board of Directors, relevant committees, and other Department Heads and providing thoughtful input and leadership to these stakeholders.
Cognizant of their professional image; fully recognizing the importance of modeling the representation of the Club, its membership, and brand at all times in actions, attitude, and appearance.
One who strives for personal and professional achievement and excellence in life and in their profession while constantly seeking opportunities to innovate and improve.
From a technical perspective, our new PGA Director of Golf will be ultimately responsible for all operating, capital, service, and financial outcomes in the Golf Shop department including the development of the golf operations staff, play management, merchandising, golf cart fleet management, bag room management, teaching, playing, event creation and management, use of various software packages, member and team communications, committee and board interaction, rules and handicapping education and enforcement, and financial management, all of which will be embraced confidently and easily by the successful candidate.
In each area of golf operations, the Director of Golf will continuously monitor and evaluate the achievement of objectives in each area and implement improvements to operational plans as needed to ensure overall success for the golf facilities.
The following are general operating responsibilities. They are not intended to be complete or exhaustive and will be amended from time to time to adapt to business needs.
Team Development
Lead by example including embracing the club’s Service and Leadership Standards,
Ensure a productive and mutually beneficial Team member lifecycle: hire right, train thoroughly, and provide development opportunities, monitor progress, make corrections as necessary, coach, and as need be, separate a Team member with dignity and grace.
Lead, supervise, and manage the Golf Shop Team and delegate supervisory responsibility as needed.
Encourage and mentor Team members to help them reach their personal and professional goals.
Promote professional development and continuing education.
Promote and enforce Sahalee Service and Leadership Standards with the Golf Shop Team.
Establish and practice consistently high-quality employee lifecycle processes including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, performance coaching, corrective action, mentoring, and termination of employment as needed per local, state, and federal laws.
Provide annual service training program for all Golf Shop Team members that meets or exceeds Sahalee’s service standards.
Evaluate the performance of team members using a goal-oriented, coaching, and collaboration model.
Evaluate and update position descriptions and practices to reflect current work and service flows.
Stimulate innovation, encouraging the Golf Shop Team to think outside of the box and put forward new ideas.
Create a culture of safety awareness and practices.
Golf Experience
Provide outstanding golf and social experiences.
Implement strategies to continuously improve the golfers' experience.
Ensure that the tee sheet is managed professionally and fairly.
Train quality Starters in play management techniques, tools, reporting, and software.
Consult daily with the Golf Course Operations team to ensure starting sides and times.
Enforce pace of play standards.
Encourage the mixing of various groups to promote social aspects of golf.
Maintain play management records through the digital tee time system.
Partner with the Director of Agronomy to address and resolve member feedback and concerns as it relates to golf course experience.
Merchandising Management
Work with the Golf Shop Team—including the Merchandising Manager—to create an attractive and premium buying experience that adds value to Sahalee memberships.
Create a system whereby all Assistant Golf Professionals are involved in each area of merchandising on a rotating basis so that they can become experts in the craft.
Assist in and supervise physical inventory management including ordering, receiving, pricing, returns management, and inventory taking.
Present a diverse and desirable array of golf equipment, apparel, and accessories for all Sahalee members.
Create opportunities for “surprise and delight” in the merchandising operation.
Manage key KPIs as established in collaboration with the General Manager.
Create and manage the schedule of Demo Days, sidewalk sales, and other promotional opportunities to deliver out-of-the-box buying experiences for members.
Work with vendors to procure the best selection of merchandise and terms.
Maintain road golf club demo and fitting program.
Provide golf ball fitting services for members.
Golf Cart Fleet Management
Ensure comprehensive routine maintenance, repair, and record-keeping of the golf cart fleet.
In collaboration with the General Manager, negotiate the purchase or lease of a new fleet and associated service vehicles.
Train the Outside Services Team to properly care for golf carts and ensure clean, safe operation.
Assure that all privately owned vehicles are in alignment with club policies and procedures including registration, purchase, colors, equipment, and use.
Use golf cart fleet as a source of service delivery, entertainment, and communication.
Communicate daily with the Golf Course Operations Team regarding course conditions relative to golf cart usage.
Maintain a consistent and fair “yellow flag” program.
Bag Room Management
Ensure that the entire Golf Shop Team is trained to service members quickly, efficiently, with a smile, and using the member’s name at the point of Bag Room service delivery.
Ensure cleanliness of members’ bags and equipment.
Monitor the condition of clubs during cleaning and note potential damage, deficiencies, or opportunities for grip or bag replacement.
Maintain a current log of bags and equipment in the Bag Room.
Ensure that all equipment used in the Bag Room is in good working order and is receiving preventative
maintenance.
Ensure placement of identifying labels on all member golf clubs and bag tags on member bags.
Ensure high levels of daily cleaning and sanitizing of golf clubs and bags.
Teaching
Be responsible for the entire employee lifecycle of the Director of Instruction.
Work closely with the Golf Shop Team and Director of Instruction to develop a comprehensive player development program to apply to all golf abilities including the use of video and launch monitor technology and appropriate teaching aids in private, playing, and group formats.
Spend a significant amount of time in the practice areas giving complimentary advice and tips to members and their guests.
Train Assistant Golf Professionals on best practices in teaching golf and monitor and evaluate their instruction methods.
Continually focus on creating more enjoyment for recreational-level members.
Remain current on all teaching methods and practices as promoted by the PGA of America.
Create short instruction videos to post on Sahalee's website or YouTube channel.
Write and submit instruction articles and tips for publication on Sahalee's website and club digital media.
Maintain and improve the Golf Studio as needed including fixtures, simulators, demo clubs, cameras, computers, and launch monitors.
Playing
Play golf with a broad cross-section of members on a casual basis offering assistance during the round if appropriate. Arrange for Assistant Golf Professionals to play with members regularly.
Play in Chapter Pro-Am events with a broad cross-section of members.
Play in Chapter and Section events as Team Sahalee’s standard bearer.
Practice regularly to maintain and advance your skills.
Event Management
Drive excitement and engagement in member golf events across all member segments by creating and
operating creative, fun, and competitive event opportunities.
Train Assistant Golf Professionals in all aspects of golf event management and operations.
Use tournament software (e.g. Golf Genius) to manage all member events professionally and efficiently.
Work with the Board and divisions to establish an annual event calendar.
Maintain a supply of tournament management supplies and ensure the good condition of scoreboards.
Be present and visible for all major member tournaments and outside golf tournaments.
Manage member registration for golf events.
Provide summaries and summary articles for each golf event to the Director of Communications for publishing
in Sahalee digital media.
Assure accurate handicaps are used in member net events.
Create conditions of competition, hole location sheets, local rules, and competition information for each event as appropriate.
Junior Golf and Long-Term Development
Collaborate with the Junior Golf Committee, Assistant Golf Professionals, and Director of Instruction to offer a junior golf program that is engaging and age-appropriate.
Establish a junior golf calendar annually.
Develop and grow the PGA Junior League team and other junior player development programs.
Ensure that adult volunteers have been appropriately vetted and trained for their roles in Sahalee junior golf programs.
Promote junior golf in all membership categories.
Create and maintain equipment for junior golf program use.
Train Assistant Golf Professionals on best practices in junior golf programming and instruction.
Software/IT
Become proficient in the club’s current software and apps.
Manage and train Assistant Golf Professionals on local aspects of the POS system, tee time reservation system, GHIN system, and Golf Genius.
Participate in the software conversion process as needed.
Educate members and the Golf Shop Team on existing or new software technologies regarding instruction and
business management.
Be proficient in Microsoft Office products, especially Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Communications
Communicate regularly through written, verbal, interpersonal, digital, social, and analog media to promote activities, increase member participation, broaden experiences, and stimulate engagement in all areas of golf operations.
Submit regular articles for publication in club media.
Ensure high quality and accuracy in all communications media.
Regularly update the member website and app and all digital communications.
Serve as "emcee and host" at member golf events.
Create digital and analog signage as needed for promotions, advertising, and directing member behavior.
Rules of Golf & Handicapping Administration
Serve as the leader of Rules of Golf and Handicapping administration.
Attend Rules of Golf workshops to remain current on the Rules of Golf.
Serve as the lead rules official for all member events.
Train Assistant Golf Professionals on the administration of Rules of Golf and Handicapping.
Administer local rules in cooperation with the Director of Golf Course Operations and committees.
Board and Committees
Serve as a staff liaison to the Golf, Green, Finance, and Rules and Handicapping Committees and help create agenda for the committee chairs.
Attend all Board of Directors meetings including the Annual Meeting and Retreats as requested.
Provide monthly operations reports for each committee and the Board.
Financial Management
Assure that all Golf Shop-related fees and charges are recorded accurately.
Develop annual operations and capital budgets in line with club goals and hold yourself and your department accountable.
Provide monthly inventory, rounds of golf, and variance reports.
Be responsible for the completion of daily payroll tracking and reporting.
Take monthly inventory of Pro Shop merchandise and conduct spot checks as needed.
Create and execute golf event contracts for outside events.
Be responsible for all transaction methods including cash, checks, credit cards, gift certificates, and credit books.
Membership Development | Develop and execute a member-centric golf operations program aimed at successful member engagement to accomplish each of the following:
Member activation (increased participation, member spending, and support of Club programming, etc.)
Member retention (increased tenure, decreasing member turnover)
Member recruitment (increasing the overall member base when necessary, backfilling member turnover.
Identify and develop value-added products and services to enhance the member experience.
Work with the Membership & Communications Director to establish and maintain a transparent and engaging flow of information to the membership and staff.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
We are looking for someone special to follow in the footsteps of outstanding history of PGA Professioanls. As such, the following abilities and qualifications come to the fore:
Be a current PGA Director of Golf or Head Golf Professional with a minimum of five (5) years of experience leading a member owned, private club golf operation
Preferably, a college degree from a four-year university or its equivalent
Demonstrated high levels of knowledge, experience, and skills in all private club golf operations including program development, tournament management, and merchandising
Commitment to the club’s mission, vision, core values, and service and leadership standards
Experience working in a similar “out front” service environment where member engagement is prized, visibility is natural, and member interaction is frequent
Be an exemplary communicator including interpersonal, written, public speaking, and social media abilities
Proven abilities in staff development including setting standards, hiring, training, orienting, mentoring, and evaluating performance relative to goals and standards
Have excellent business acumen including the ability to manage the financial and HR aspects of the golf operation
Experienced merchandiser including planning, purchasing, display, sales, and markdowns
Have a clear passion for the game, its history, and traditions with a vision for creating future success
Comfort interacting at the national level with peer clubs, the USGA, and PGA with existing relationships and/or hosting championship golf events highly preferred
Proficient and current in the Rules of Golf and handicapping administration
Be a recognized ambassador in the private club realm regionally, and preferably nationally
An eager and capable player willing to play with all members and compete in PGA pro-ams and Chapter/Section events as our standard bearer
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The club will provide compensation and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications. This includes but is not limited to:
Salary: Competitive salary range commensurate with qualifications and experience of the successful candidate
Lessons: 100% of lesson income
Golf Shop Income: Successful candidate will earn income on golf shop sales, structure to be determined and shop ownership negotiable
Tournament Expenses: Approved tournament and pro-am expenses within the Western Washington PGA Chapter and PNWPGA Section
Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision and life insurance for self and family per Club policy
Retirement: 401k plan
Vacation: Per club policy
Allowances: Cell phone and clothing
Education: Approved PGA education and related development expenses
Dues: PGA of America Chapter and Section dues
Facility Use: Family golf and club amenities privileges based on member-centric practices
AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT | Washington is an “at-will” employment state. The GM or the Club are free to end the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, with or without cause, and your employment is for no specified period of time.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT | By applying for this position, I acknowledge to have read this Position Profile document and understand that this Position Profile generally identifies the boundaries of this position and is not intended to be an absolute accounting of the position. I also acknowledge and understand that employment at Sahalee Country Club is on an “at-will” basis.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications MUST be submitted through the PGA of America's Career Services Department as described below.
Resume deadline is May 13, 2024 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
Combine your cover letter, resume, references, and any supporting documents into one (1) PDF document with the following file naming convention: Last Name, First Name, Sahalee Country Club, Director of Golf
Please address all correspondence to - Mr. Norman Cheuk | President | Sahalee Country Club
Monte Koch, PGA, Ken Ferrell, PGA, and Scott Kmiec are leading this search, please contact them with any questions.
Email: mkoch@pgahq.com
The employer does not wish to be contacted at this time
To serve as the most trusted professional resource for employers seeking experts to lead an organization in the golf and hospitality industry, and support their future success by serving as lifelong partners.
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